Wichita State reportedly could join AAC as soon as April

Wichita State, a member of the Missouri Valley Conference since 1945, could join the American Athletic Conference within the next two weeks.

Wichita State officials are reportedly engaged in talks to join theAmerican Athletic Conference, a move that could come within the next two weeks and take effect for next season.

Sports Illustrated reports multiple sources say Wichita State and the AAC share a mutual interest. Any move would have to be approved by AAC-member university presidents, but their approval would seem to be a given, considering the millions in NCAA Tournament revenue the Shockerscould bring in to be shared by AAC schools. The Shockers, who finished 31-5 this season andlost to Kentucky in the Round of 32, earned $3.2 million from this year's tournament.

Wichita State has been a member of the Missouri Valley Conference since 1945. MVC officials are reportedly prepared for Wichita State's imminent departure.

“We understand that this is in the works and that it’s a strong possibility," an official told SI.

A move to the AAC would dramatically improve Wichita State's visibility, as the Shockers would face storied — and big-market — programssuch as UConn, Temple, Cincinnati, Memphis and Houston in conference play. Despite their record this season, the Shockers were only a No. 10 seed in the tournament, a lower seeding than most analysts expected.Another strong MVC team, Illinois State, was overlooked by the tournament selection committee this year.

Wichita State does not have a football program, which would make it the lone non-football member in the AAC, but the school's other athletic teams would participate in the conference.